The Best Ottawa Christmas Events in 2025

Watch our Ottawa Christmas Video

Do you prefer videos over reading? Do you love both? Check out this corresponding YouTube video that I've made which highlights all of the best things to do in Ottawa during the holidays.

The video is called Christmas in Ottawa: The Ottawa Christmas Market and Magical Holiday Events. If you want to stay in touch, I suggest subscribing to our channel on YouTube.

The Ottawa Christmas Market is by far one of my very favourite Christmas markets outside of Europe! It reminds me of the Christmas markets in Germany.

There are rows upon rows of wooden chalets offering delicious food and drink, as well as unique gifts. There's a festive atmosphere created by Christmas lights, dazzling decor and even a tunnel of lights.

There's a skating rink, musical performances, a massive Christmas tree, a pedal bar that seats 14, and so much more. Blitzen's Bar sits at the heart of the market where you can sip and savour alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

ByWard Market is always such a fun area of Ottawa to visit with 350 businesses in the area alone. There are quite a few holiday festivities at ByWard Market this year.

First, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony kicks off the event. The largest Christmas tree in Ottawa is located at George Street Plaza. There's an outdoor holiday market following the lighting of the tree, free Beavertails, and a laser lights show.

There's a small outdoor holiday market that takes place daily in ByWard Market. At Heritage Hall, there's an indoor holiday market on the first three Saturdays in December.

Every day, there's also a free laser lights show and a free aurora light show nightly at George Street Plaza and York Street, respectively. Finally, carolers sing Christmas songs every weekend between 12pm and 4pm.

Winter Wander is a free display of Christmas lights in Ottawa along the pedestrian-only Sparks Street. Go for a stroll on Sparks Street any evening from mid-November to the beginning of January to appreciate the holiday decor.

There's a 20-foot Christmas tree and several interactive light displays. These are the perfect places to capture those special holiday moments with your loved ones. Go for a wander with a hot beverage in your hand as you create magical memories.

Winter Lights Across Canada is a pathway of lights where numerous sites and monuments are decorated with thousands of dazzling lights.

There's a map on the official website so you can follow the trail and check out all of the lights. It's free to experience. The route includes:

• National War Memorial
• Rideau Canal Park
• Confederation Park
• Mackenzie Triangle
• Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument
• Jacques-Cartier Park
• Garden of Provinces and Territories
• Portage Park
• Supreme Court of Canada

The Canadian Museum of History just across the way in Gatineau hosts an annual Christmas market in November each year. There are over 100 exhibitors in the Grand Hall and the Panorama Cafe with handcrafted creations.

It's always free to attend and a wonderful way to shop local.

Missed the Christmas market? Don't fret, there's still a stunning Christmas tree outside of the museum to visit and admire.

Magic of Lights is a drive-thru Christmas lights event where you and the whole family can enjoy glorious displays from the comfort of your own car.

On those really chilly nights, turn on the heat and the heated seat warmers as you comfortably enjoy the holiday illuminations.

While the majority of this event is from the car, there's also a "pit stop" in the middle of the route. At this point, you can get out of the car and explore an illuminated forest trail by foot.

There are also Instagrammable displays for photo opportunities, letter writing stations to Santa, and of course, treats from Beavertails!

Alight at Night Festival is an annual holiday event at Upper Canada Village. The village is transformed into a winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights illuminating the entire site.

There are festive sound and light shows, a miniature toy train to ride, and various activity stations.

You can also get some holiday shopping done, participate in a Christmas carol sing-a-long, indulge in some festive dining and snap some photos with Santa.

The Christmas lights and decor are the main attraction, but there are plenty of other fun activities along the way to keep adults and children of all ages entertained.

Trees of Hope for CHEO is an annual fundraiser hosted by Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Since its inception over two decades ago, they've raised over $1.5 million for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Sponsors for the event decorate Christmas trees and the best ones can win awards. On the first evening of the event, all of the decorated Christmas trees are unveiled.

Then, visitors can wander around the hotel to discover and appreciate the ornate decorations and fantastic ornaments. You don't need to be a guest at the hotel to admire the trees - anyone can show up to see them.

Christmas at the Farm is hosted by Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm. It's known as Ottawa's original immersive Christmas experience.

The event includes two holiday traditions, the Christmas Village and the Holiday Stroll. Your visit to Christmas at the Farm includes admission to both events.

Christmas Village includes delightful displays, festive activities, and opportunities to meet Santa and the elves.

The Holiday Stroll is an enchanting walk on a beautifully lit trail. While you're at Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm, you can also pick out a Christmas tree to bring home with you.

Vintage Village of Lights is hosted by the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. The setting is described as a "postcard-perfect 1920s and 30s heritage village charmingly decorated for the holidays".

On top of heritage demonstrations, there are visits with Santa, Christmas light displays, holiday decor, gingerbread cookie decorating activities and more.

Keep in mind that advance reservations are required to participate in Vintage Village of Lights. You can visit the official website to secure your booking. Every ticket means that up to 6 people will gain entry (one ticket per family).

The Nutcracker is always a holiday favourite. Enjoy Tchaikovsky's famous music and prepare to be dazzled by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

Be transformed to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets in this feast for the senses. This is a fabulous performance for the whole family, and it happens for only a few nights this December.

Ottawa Christmas Craft Fairs and Markets

These Christmas markets and craft fairs in Ottawa are a wonderful way to support local makers and artisans. Do your holiday shopping here and avoid the big box outlets.

There are always unique, handmade gifts that you won't find anywhere else. Here's a roundup of the best Christmas markets in Ottawa.

• Robert Plante Holiday Market (Nov 15-16)
• Glebe Craft and Artisan Fair (Nov 15-16)
• NAC's HoliYay Craft Market (Nov 16)
• Log Farm Christmas Farmers Market (Nov 15 & 22)
• Watson Mill's Christmas Craft Market (Nov 22-23, 29-30)
• Old Fashioned Christmas Market (Nov 23)
• Holiday Market at Parkdale Public Market (Nov 29)
• 613flea Christmas (Nov 29-30)
• All of my Favourite Things Artisan Market (Dec 6, 13, 20)
• Metcalfe Farmers Christmas Market (Dec 13)

Christmas in Ottawa: Festive Cocktail Bars

Christmas cocktail bars are another fun way to enjoy Christmas in Ottawa. These bars and pubs are completely transformed with holiday decor everywhere you look. There are holiday cocktails developed just for the events that are exclusive to the holiday season.

• Yuletide Lane at Fairmont Chateau Laurier
• Sippin' Santa Ottawa
• Miracle on Elgin
• Pubwells
• Nan's Parlour
• The Jingle Bar

Best Christmas Shop in Ottawa: Tinseltown Christmas

Tinseltown Christmas Emporium is the most Christmassy store I've ever seen. While the storefront windows are decorated quite nicely, it isn't until you set foot inside Tinseltown that you see just how jam packed with holiday decor it truly is.

There really isn't a spare space from floor to ceiling where there isn't a Christmas ornament, decoration or tree. The store is organized by colour and by theme for its ornaments.

If you're searching for a very specific ornament, chances are that they have it. There are also Christmas villages, nutcrackers, wreaths, advent calendars, snow globes and so much more.

Even if you aren't visiting Ottawa for Christmas, they have an extensive online catalogue - it's split into three catalogues, actually! You can do your holiday shopping online and have the Christmas decor mailed directly to you.